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| Djiwo Diharjo |
Paper Edition | Page: 28
Djiwo Diharjo. — JP/Simon Sudarman The revival of various traditional art performances today makes Djiwo Diharjo, 78, feel relieved. As a kris maker since 1956, the master craftsman, or empu, has relied on his skill for a living, which has practically become a thriving business, along with the resurgence of traditional shows.
“Working as a kris craftsman has its ups and downs, which is a common experience. But as I do the job with a high sense of dedication. Whatever happens can be handled with a feeling of delight,” said Empu Djiwo, who lives in Banyusumurup in Bantul, Yogyakarta.
Through his patience, perseverance and dedication, the works of the recipient of Upakarti Achievement Award 2011 from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono have spread to collectors in various countries like Japan, Holland, the US, France, Belgium, Singapore, Malaysia, the Middle East, Suriname and Australia.
“I’ve traveled to different countries also because of my craftsmanship. But it was mostly during the rule of president Soeharto,” said Empu Djiwo, who was once invited to Brunei and stayed for five years to make kris and ivory shields.
According to him, Europeans are interested in kris primarily due to the beautiful shapes and motifs of the traditional daggers. “But they also believe in the magical powers of certain kris. Europe and Japan have had royal traditions, so that kris and such forces are not new to them, particularly the Dutch, although it’s beyond logical reasoning,” he indicated.
The primary school graduate, who was declared an empu by Yogyakarta Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX in 1984, mentioned the functions of kris that were also recognized by Westerners were bringing safety, fortune, inner peace, controlling rain and even counteracting black magic.
“French and Australian visitors come here every three months to buy kris, sometimes ordering the ones with magical powers, which are mostly needed by dignitaries and entrepreneurs,” said the father of seven.
He explained that the crafting of kris with supernatural forces should be accompanied by certain rituals like making offerings, fasting, calculating auspicious dates and refraining from speech during the process of production.
“When foreigners come here to order magical kris, they promptly hand over their birthdates. They’re aware that such kris need to be adjusted to the dates of birth to determine the right motifs of the blades that suit their users,” said Empu Djiwo.
He is convinced that the supernatural forces in kris come from God rather than evil spirits. Because the forging process that takes seven to eight months, he mostly keeps silent, concentrating on his work while praying for God’s favor.
“I’m not the one to fear such forces, but I’m just channeling prayer so that the powers from God come down and become one with the blades,” clarified Djiwo. Assisted by four workers, he forges 8 to 10 kilograms of iron to get its “essential part” of only 4 ounces for a kris, which can cost upwards of Rp 15 million (US$1,511).
“The time suitable for kris making is just two hours a day, which takes a long time to finish, leaving the rest of the day for prayer. A lot more time is needed for prayer than for crafting,” noted the master, who is the 19th descendant of Empu Ki Supadiyo from the Majapahit kingdom.
Western collectors are very much amazed by the pamor, or motifs, on kris blades. Empu Djiwo put the number of these patterns at 120.
“They are standard types of pamor, so that their number has remained unchanged since the past. The difference is only the way they’re fashioned, which becomes increasingly refined. The motifs have their own powers, like enhancing authority, bringing security, fortunes and warding off evils,” said Djiwo, whose showroom is located in the Gabusan art market in Bantul.
UNESCO’s recognition of Indonesian kris as part of the world’s cultural heritage, however, has not been followed by increased government attention to the preservation of this cultural treasure.
“For me, the preservation of the treasure we inherit from our ancestors is a must. It’s my way of devoting my life to our forebears, Indonesian culture and God. Making kris amounts to getting closer to God, thus also to fortune. But don’t expect abundant riches. That’s a taboo for an empu,” he maintained.
There are two categories of kris makers, the first are master craftsmen, or empu, and the second ordinary are craftspeople. The latter only take one full day to finish a souvenir kris sold for around Rp 1.5 million.
“I’m sure they can earn a living by producing such kris,” said Empu Djiwo, who used to be the only kris smith in his hilly village, and whose 60 trainees have now turned out over 300 kris makers.
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